St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen
THE CELEBRATION OF THE HOLY COMMUNION (2)
16th March 2025 	The Second Sunday in Lent

Hymn: I bind unto myself today verses 1,2, 3, 8 and 9

 THE GREETING
Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.                                     

THE COLLECT FOR PURITY
Almighty God, to Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hidden; Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your holy name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PENITENCE
Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it. You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets. 
Matthew 22: 37-39

Lord, have mercy on us,
and write these Your laws in our hearts.

God so loved the world that He gave his only Son Jesus Christ, to save us from our sins, to intercede for us in Heaven, and to bring us to eternal life. Let us then confess our sins in penitence and faith, firmly resolved to keep God's commandments and to live in love and peace:

Silence
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, we have sinned in thought and word and deed, and in what we have left undone. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us, that we may walk in newness of life to the glory of Your name. Amen. 
THE ABSOLUTION

The Collect of the Day – Page 305 (217)
Almighty God, in Your providence You chose Your servant Patrick to be the apostle of the Irish people,
to bring those who were wandering in darkness and error to the true light and knowledge of Your Word:
Grant that walking in that light, we may come at last to the light of everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

THE OLD TESTAMENT READING: Deuteronomy 32: 1-9 
Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; let the earth hear the words of my mouth. May my teaching drop like the rain, my speech condense like the dew; like gentle rain on grass, like showers on new growth. For I will proclaim the name of the Lord; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, His work is perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God, without deceit, just and upright is He; yet His degenerate children have dealt falsely with Him, a perverse and crooked generation. Do you thus repay the Lord, O foolish and senseless people? Is not He your father, who created you, who made you and established you? Remember the days of old, consider the years long past; ask your father, and he will inform you; your elders, and they will tell you. When the Most-High apportioned the nations, when He divided humankind, He fixed the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the gods; the Lord’s own portion was His people, Jacob His allotted share. 

The Psalm: 145: 1-13 (p. 760)
1    I will exalt You, O God my King,  ♦
and bless Your name for ever and ever.
2    Every day will I bless You  ♦
and praise Your name for ever and ever.
3    Great is the Lord and highly to be praised;  ♦
His greatness is beyond all searching out. 
4    One generation shall praise Your works to another  ♦
and declare Your mighty acts.
5    They shall speak of the majesty of Your glory,  ♦
and I will tell of all Your wonderful deeds.
6    They shall speak of the might of Your marvellous acts,  ♦
and I will also tell of Your greatness.
7    They shall pour forth the story of Your abundant kindness  ♦
and joyfully sing of Your righteousness.
8    The Lord is gracious and merciful,  ♦
long-suffering and of great goodness. 
9    The Lord is loving to everyone  ♦
and His mercy is over all His creatures.
10  All Your works praise You, O Lord,  ♦
and Your faithful servants bless You.
11  They tell of the glory of Your kingdom  ♦
and speak of Your mighty power,
12  To make known to all peoples Your mighty acts  ♦
and the glorious splendour of Your kingdom.
13  Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom;  ♦
your dominion endures throughout all ages. 

THE EPISTLE READING: 2 Corinthians 4: 1-12
Therefore, since it is by God’s mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practise cunning or to falsify God’s word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake. For it is the God who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness’, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. For while we live, we are always being given up to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus may be made visible in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.

SUNDAY SCHOOL PRAYER

Hymn: 492 Ye servants of God

THE GOSPEL READING: John 4: 31-38
Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him, ‘Rabbi, eat something.’ But He said to them, ‘I have food to eat that you do not know about.’ So the disciples said to one another, ‘Surely no one has brought Him something to eat?’ Jesus said to them, ‘My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to complete his work. Do you not say, “Four months more, then comes the harvest”? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. The reaper is already receiving wages and is gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, “One sows and another reaps.” I sent you to reap that for which you did not labour. Others have laboured, and you have entered into their labour.’

THE SERMON

THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through Him all things were made. For us and for our salvation He came down from Heaven, was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake He was crucified under Pontius Pilate; He suffered death and was buried. On the third day He rose again in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into Heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and His kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen   

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
At the end of the Intercessions the following is said:
Merciful Father, accept these our prayers for the sake of Your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

Offertory Hymn: 643 Be Thou my vision

THE PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS
We do not presume to come to this Your table, merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness but in Your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under Your table. But You are the same Lord, Whose nature is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of Your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink His blood, that our sinful bodies may be made clean by His Body, and our souls washed through His most precious Blood, and that we may evermore dwell in Him and He in us. Amen.

THE PEACE
The peace of the Lord be always with you. 
THE TAKING OF THE BREAD AND WINE

Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us therefore let us celebrate the feast. 
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord is here.    His Spirit is with us. 
Lift up your hearts.    We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Father, Almighty and Everliving God, at all times and in all places it is right to give You thanks and praise: 
And so with all Your people, with angels and archangels, and with all the company of Heaven, we proclaim Your great and glorious name, for ever praising You and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and Earth are full of Your glory. 
Hosanna in the highest!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest! 

Blessed are You, Father, The Creator and Sustainer of all things; You made us in Your own image, male and female You created us; even when we turned away from You, You never ceased to care for us, but in Your love and mercy You freed us from the slavery of sin, giving Your only begotten Son to become man and suffer death on the cross to redeem us; He made there the one complete and all-sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the whole world: He instituted, and in His holy Gospel commanded us to continue, a perpetual memory of His precious death until He comes again: On the night that He was betrayed He took bread; and when He had given thanks to You, He broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying, Take, eat, this is My Body which is given for You. Do this in remembrance of Me. In the same way, after supper He took the cup; and when He had given thanks to You, He gave it to them, saying, Drink this, all of You, for this is my Blood of the new covenant which is shed for You and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me. Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup we do as Christ Your Son commanded:

We remember His passion and death, we celebrate His resurrection and ascension, and we look for the coming of His kingdom.

Accept through Him, our great High Priest, this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; and as we eat and drink these holy gifts, grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit that we may be made one in Your holy Church and partakers of the body and blood of Your Son, that He may dwell in us and we in Him: Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, by Whom, and with Whom, and in Whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen. 

THE LORD'S PRAYER
The bread which we break is a sharing in the Body of Christ.                           
We being many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

The gifts of God for the people of God.
Jesus Christ is holy
Jesus Christ is Lord
To the Glory of God the Father.

Or

Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, Who has taken away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His Supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive You, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

THE COMMUNION

Communion Hymns: – 400 And now Father, 418 Here O my Lord, 419 I am not worthy

The Post Communion Prayer - page 306 (218)
Hear us, most merciful God, for that part of the Church which through your servant Patrick you planted in our land; that it may hold fast the faith entrusted to the saints and in the end bear much fruit to eternal life:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

Almighty God, we thank You for feeding us with the spiritual food of the Body and Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ. Through Him we offer You our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of Your Spirit to live and work to Your praise and glory. Amen.

THE BLESSING 

Hymn: 459 For all the saints

ANNOUNCEMENTS for 16th March 2025
Daily Reading for Lent - Pilgrim Journeys - The Commandments
The Pilgrim Journeys booklets are ideal for anyone to use daily in Lent but can be used at any time of the year. There are 40 daily reflections. Each day offers: A theme for the day; A suggested short Bible reading exploring the theme; An invitation to reflect; A suggestion of how to pray; A prompt to act. These booklets are available for £3.00 at the back of the Cathedral or from the Cathedral Office.
Lenten Project - Mission Focus - Mothers’ Union Overseas Fund
This Lenten Season we, the Parish of Enniskillen, are going to support this vital work. Please take a Lenten Box or a Gift Aid Envelope, available in the Cathedral porch, and return it during Holy Week.
Word and World
The next meeting is on Tuesday 18th March at 7.30pm in the Hilliard Room, Cathedral Hall.
Messy Church
The next Messy Church is on Thursday 20th March from 4.00 to 6.00pm in the Cathedral Hall. Messy Church is open to all children of primary school age and their parents and guardians. To ensure there are enough resources and food for participants, you must contact Gwyneth Blair as soon as possible to book. Please text Gwyneth on 07753522324 or email, gwyneth.blair@gmail.com.
Bowling Club
The Bowling Club are running their Mixed Pairs Tournament in the Cathedral Hall on Wednesday 19th, Thursday 20th and the finals on Friday 21st March 2025, at 7.30pm each evening.
First Aid Training
FRCI are holding a one day First Aid Course on Friday 21st March. For further details or to book a place please contact them on 02866326478 or call with them at 56a Tempo Road, Enniskillen.
Tuesday Club
The next meeting is on 25th March at 2.00pm in the Eniskeene Room, Mrs Carol Trimble will share her baking skills with us. The mini bus will collect those who require transport, please contact the Cathedral Office.
Mid Week Services
Wednesday 19th March at 7.30pm – Compline
Thursday 20th March at 11.00am – Holy Communion
Sunday 23rd March - The Third Sunday in Lent
9.00am – Holy Communion   
11.00am – Morning Prayer